ATHLETIC News

On Saturday, November 17, St. Sebastian's ISL Championship football team hosted the Taft School in the Todd Marble NEPSAC Bowl game in what would be Bob Souza's final game as the Arrows' head coach. While the Arrows gave up an early 14-point lead to Taft, they remained resilient and battled as all of Coach Souza's teams have done throughout his 41 years at the helm of the football program. A 60-yard touchdown run by Bryce Gallagher '19, and a pass from Billy Seidl '19 to Alex Cherry '19 followed by a two point conversion run by Seidl knotted the score at 14 in the second quarter. Taft responded with a score of their own before Gallagher broke off another long touchdown run, this time from 57 yards out. After the Arrows missed their extra point and Taft again scored just before time expired in the half, Taft took a 28-20 lead into halftime. In the second half, Taft scored first before the Arrows mounted another comeback attempt with touchdowns by Miguel Vega '19 and Seidl, ultimately falling just short in a thrilling, but heartbreaking 34-35 loss.

While this was not the result that the 2018 Arrows were hoping for, they made Coach Souza proud by how they competed. Several of Coach Souza's former players from across the decades, including those from his first season in 1978, were in attendance to support him and thank him for the positive influence he has been in their lives. Coach Souza always modeled and demanded hard work, integrity, toughness, and love for the team and St. Sebastian's. He will be missed, but his impact on the football program, and so many Arrows alumni and coaches will be felt for many years to come.